Aus take control

Afp, Cape Town

David Warner hit a century and captain Michael Clarke battled his way back into form as Australia dominated the first day of the series-deciding third and final Test against South Africa at Newlands on Saturday. Warner put a week of controversy behind him and hit a sparkling 135 off 162 balls in an Australian total of 331 for three. Clarke, who twice needed treatment after being hit, went past 24 for the first time in 12 Test innings to make 92 not out on a day when South Africa lost strike bowler Dale Steyn with a hamstring injury midway through the afternoon. Steyn, who took the first wicket, left the field after bowling one ball of the fourth over of his third spell and did not return. It was the second time in successive matches that South Africa, having picked only four specialist bowlers, lost one to injury after Wayne Parnell suffered a groin strain in the second Test in Port Elizabeth. Warner reached his fourth successive score of 50 or better after facing just 50 balls and went to his seventh Test century off 104 deliveries. Clarke and Steve Smith scored freely towards the close, against the second new ball, adding 37 runs in six overs before the close.

Clarke faced 191 balls, hitting nine fours. Smith became the third batsman to notch a half-century, finishing the day on 50 not out, made off 92 balls. With the series locked at 1-1, both sides made two changes following South Africa's 231-run win in the second Test in Port Elizabeth. Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, recovered from a calf injury, replaced Shaun Marsh, while fast bowler James Pattinson was selected ahead of Peter Siddle.